Flowering Peach From Nursery Stock

[kcpoole]

FlyBri what is that technique ur showing in the pic ? what does it do ?

It is Flys method to airlayer
viewtopic.php?f=9&t=553

Best description I have seen

Kne

[FlyBri]

FlyBri what is that technique ur showing in the pic ? what does it do ?

Gday 6H!

As Ken has stated, the last photo shows my attempt to layer the top off the Peach. Unfortunately, this particular layer failed due to the wound site bridging over, and rather than start again, I simply removed the top part of the trunk so that I could concentrate on developing the bottom section.

I recently pulled the tree from its container to see how its roots were going.

Flowering_Peach_Jul_10_01.jpg

The roots hadn't grown as well as I would have expected, so I decided to repot into a smaller container with a more well-drained mix. The thinking behind this is as follows: better drainage means that I will need to water/fertilise more often, which in turn should promote better/faster growth all round. The fact that I have chosen a smaller container means that I will more easily be able to move the tree to favourable positions at different times of year (ie: full sun in Spring and Autumn, bright shade in Summer).

Flowering_Peach_Jul_10_02.jpg

I am experimenting with the use of mesh orchid pots to see what effect the added drainage will have on the roots: I have doubled-up on the pots and rotated the outer pot so that it almost seals the holes of the inner pot. I hope that this set up will allow for air-pruning of the roots while still protecting them during the hot, windy days I expect in Summer. We'll see how that goes...

Anyway, there's nothing spectacular here, but everything has to start somewhere, I guess. I might do a bit of cursory carving and wiring soon, just to find some sort of direction for the little stump.

Thanks.

Fly.

PS: The trunk on the left is another Flowering Peach that I picked up the other day for $10 from Sertel's. I hacked back the roots and top, and have threaded one of the low shoots through the trunk in hopes of achieving a graft. I'll keep you all posted on that one too.

[Lowlyf]

i really like this plant, cant wait to see it in the future

[FlyBri]

i really like this plant, cant wait to see it in the future

Thanks LL, but I don't know how long you'll continue to like it...

I might do a bit of cursory carving and wiring soon, just to find some sort of direction for the little stump.

...and so I did...

Flowering_Peach_Jul_10_03.jpg

Flowering_Peach_Jul_10_04.jpg

Flowering_Peach_Jul_10_05.jpg

Flowering_Peach_Jul_10_06.jpg

Flowering_Peach_Jul_10_07.jpg

Flowering_Peach_Jul_10_08.jpg

Now, there are probably some folks out there who understand what I have done here. If so, could you please speak up and explain it to me? Seriously though, as ugly as this whole mess looks, I DO have a clear plan in mind for this tree (at least the lower portion of it). If time permits, I'll sketch up my vision for the trunk, as well as explain what it is I have done under all the wire and bandages... In the meantime, I'll just let you all look on in horror.

Thanks.

Fly.

[MattA]

Horror

Not likely bud, looks like the sort of madness I dont mind inflicting on trees. When it works it works good... and this one will I have no doubts about it.

Lets see the sketch


Matt

[Gerard]

Hi Fly,
Only yesterday at a club discussion group I saw a prunis which had similar care/abuse.
It had been thread grafted in a couple of places about a year ago. It was similar in size and species and the process was a little slow but looks as though it is a success. Sorry I did not get a picture.

[FlyBri]

Gday folks!

I got this PM from Jow the other day, so I thought I'd share:

Hi Fly,

Another option with those mesh pots is to make a 'skirt' for them. Basically cut a strip of soil bag plastic that extends from lip to the base. put that around the pot and tape to the lip. Air pruning will then still happen, but the outer skirt will keep that area a little more humid and stop rapid dry outs. I used that method on some colanders i had and it worked well.

I look forward to seeing your results.....

Joe.

Sounds like Jow has had some luck with a modified form of root 'air-pruning' for Melbourne conditions. I hope my experiences will be similar.

Sorry Matt, but I haven't had time to get to a sketch yet. Maybe later today, perhaps...

Thanks.

Fly.